Making a Hole in bass drum head

[sessionselect]

Whats the easiest and safest way to make a hole in your bass drum head? Is it just really easy and i just haven't done it? Or is there a special way to do it without ruining your head?

thanks

 

[PaulBritt]

Here is an idea I had once, but I haven't had a chance to try:

Heat an empty coffee can or similiar metal, circular object on the stove. Medium heat should be good. Make sure you allow enough time for it to fully heat up (10 min?) Then, carefully burn the hole using the bottom of the can with the head against some plywood or other non burnable flat surface. Make sure the head is lying flat and this should work. Please try it on an old head first to see if it works. As I said : I Have Not Tried This !!! But in theory, it should make a nice hole with no tears. Let me know how it goes.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

A more tried-and-true method (that I have tried, so it's true) would be to go to the music store and buy a kick hole template for three bucks or so. This is a plastic adhesive ring that you stick to your head while it's on the drum, and then cut around the inside. It reinforces the edges, so it doesn't get torn up by putting mics in and out.

 

[fenix]

you can also go to craft stores and get a hole cutter. it looks like a compass (not the kind that tells you north and south, but the kind used in elementary school for making circles) with a blade on the end.

remo also makes heads precut w/ holez.

 

[neirbo]

I use the template that Whoopysnorp mentioned. It does a good job reinforcing the edge of the hole and is cheap. Just cutting a hole with no reinforcement could result in the hole tearing after a few dozen gigs (plus you can get NASTY paper cuts from that sharp edge).

 

[Blackburn]

The coffee can thing works. It may not be the safest thing to try when you have been drinking,, but as long as you get the can hot enough, it will cut right through the drum head.